Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Development, Implementation And Importance Of An Undergraduate Peer Research Consultant Program At The University Of North Dakota’S Chester Fritz Library, Karlene T. Clark, Holly Gabriel, Kristen Borysewicz

Librarian Publications

Purpose: This paper describes both the development of a peer research consultant program – using student assistants to staff the reference desk with minimal supervision while providing high quality research assistance to their undergraduate peers, and the steps taken to create buy-in for the program from campus and librarians.

Design / methodology / approach: The authors provide a description of peer reference services and describe how a remodel of the library building facilitated a redesign of services. The paper covers the process of developing program guidelines, securing funding, expectations of peer research consultants, the training process, and lessons …